Left to right standing:Joseph Graves, Krisangela Washington and Richard Cowden. Seated is Brian Landis-Folkins

Race

The New Edge Theatre:
3/15 - 4/7

A rich white man who’s been accused
of raping a black woman in The Edge Theatre’s production of David Mamet’s
“Race.”

This play which Mamet says is about “race and the lies we tell each
other on the subject,” is a thoroughly absorbing evening of theatre directed by
Rob Kramer.

The director has paced the show at a nice clip while choosing to bridge
the scenes by telescoping time in a cinematic way. Kramer achieves this effect
by having the actors, seen by the audience in half-light, move in slow motion
from their blocking in the scene just ended to the one that follows. The effect
is one of soothing fluidity in this play that seethes with raw racial tension.

Director Kramer has cast two well-known Denver actors and two new ones.
The faces you will recognize from previous plays are Brian Landis Folkins and
Richard Cowden.

Folkins plays Charles Strickland, a rich white man who is accused of
raping a black woman. Cowden leads the cast with a powerful performance as the
white senior partner in a firm that is being asked to represent the accused.

Cast in the roles of the African American members of this law firm are
new actors Krisangela Washington and Joseph Graves. With only a couple of weeks
of rehearsal under his belt Mr. Graves gave a formidable performance as Henry.
As Susan, the youngest member of the firm, Ms. Washington turned in a
performance of deceptive innocence that intrigues.

The show is being produced at The Edge Theatre’s new home at
1560 Teller Street. Check it out!

To paraphrase Edward
Albee in an interview some time ago, “One of Samuel Beckett’s plays should be
onstage at all times in our cities.” That’s a huge nod of confidence from our
greatest living playwright.

Spark Theatre
Company’s production is thoroughly well produced. This is the perfect way to
see Beckett’s play. The appointment of the stage is minimal and correctly so.
The seating is so intimate with the actors it’s almost claustrophobic. Once
you’re in your seat you’re gonna be there til the final curtain. It makes one
think of Jean Paul Sartre, another existential playwright, who also found that
there was “No Exit.”

Andrew
Uhlenhopp directs the show with a slow pace that’s exactly right and a sure grip
on the proceedings as well.

Chris Kendall’s
performance as Nag is outstanding!

This production
will make you feel uncomfortable as you study two old folks in trash cans and
one blind man who can’t stand assisted by a young man who can’t sit.

It’s seriously
well done existential theatre that will give you a good dose of reality
therapy. If “Endgame” is not among your memories of the late great playwright
philosophers you had better get on over and make it one.